Lots of Twitter chatter across globe about “suspect cases” or “confirmed case” in [insert] country, and Tweets being released about “confirmed case in [insert country],” then retracted.
Please consider….
(1/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
Please consider….
(1/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
Not all of those being quarantined &/or tested meet @WHO definition of suspect case. Some countries quarantining & testing (as is their right) anyone w/history of exposure. Better to talk about ‘# people being tested,’ rather than ‘X suspect cases.’
(2/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
(2/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
Public does not have a right to the identifying details of everyone tested. Right to confidentiality should only be broken if absolutely no other way to protect health, e.g., confirmed infection & no way to identify contacts w/o public identification.
(3/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
(3/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
Rumors are like fire alarms: hazardous if false. Each rumor generates a flurry of inquiries for health officials, making them shift time/resources to investigating, preparing statements, answering calls. A single false rumor can generate work for days.
(4/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
(4/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
In summary: Please think carefully about the public health implications of your tweets.
(5/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
(5/5) #coronavirus #nCoV
